Sunday, July 11, 2010

So that must mean you will be watching "History Detectives" on PBS tomorrow. All my fav stuff; history, Navy, Old Ironsides, politics, hooliganism.... I wouldn't miss it.

In USS Constitution'slong and storied history there are many interesting stories, but really none so odd as the beheading of her figurehead in 1834. Constitution was just coming back from a low ebb. Her popularity was surging in the wake of Oliver Wendell Holmes's famous poem. Many credited President Jackson with aiding in the effort to save her. Jackson was after all, a hero of the War of 1812 himself.

Some thought there should be a gesture toward President Jackson....but not everyone. In a port city full of mariners, some considered it sacrilege to put the figure of an Army hero on the historic naval vessel. And Jackson wasn't all that popular with the Boston Brahminand one of their rank, Captain Sweeney allegedly hacked off the head just around this time of year in 1834.The head made the rounds through various clubs and maritime families and even museums here and in other countries. Some parts here and some parts there.

Recently someone came upon the mouthand checking it's provenance is the focus of this week's "History Detectives" episode. I will be watching tomorrow night at 9 pm on WGBH. Since Boston is the know center of the universe....all times here on this blog are EST, lol.

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About Me

I am 56, happily divorced, mother of two, grandmother of the most spectacular baby boy. I am a registered Republican with fiscally conservative views; libertarian social views &; ardently supportive of a strong US Military
I was born and raised in Boston and can not conceive of living anywhere else. I think Brian Lamb of CSpan is the sexiest man on TV. If you want my attention, you have to be aggressive and smart and you have to feed my head.
If you want an explanation for the pic, go to this post.